By sea |
By sea
Only a limited number of cruise ships arrive in La Habana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. This is due to the US trade blockade, which prohibits any vessel (including private yachts!) calling at Cuban ports from visiting a US port for six months.
Sailing into Cuba by private yacht or cruiser is possible, with a handful of international marinas receiving foreign vessels, such as, Marina Hemingway, situated 20km west of La Habana. Other port authorities in Cuba receiving foreign vessels include: Marina Puerto Sol Darsena in Varadero, Marina Santiago de Cuba and Marina Puerto Sol Cienfuegos.
It is not advisable to turn up unannounced with your yacht. You should alert the proper Cuban port authorities and try to make radio contact over channel HF (SSB) 2760 or 2790 or over channel VHF 68 or 16 before crossing the 12-mile limit.
Required documents include the passports of everyone on board, the ownership papers, title and registration certificate of the vessel, and the clearance document from your last port, which lists Cuba as your destination. Paper work may take several hours and it may include officials boarding to check out your yacht, you and everyone else on board. All this time you must follow the instructions given by the port authorities and remain on board until all legal formalities are concluded.
No prior visas are required when traveling by yacht, but you have to purchase a Tourist Card (25 CUC) upon arrival if you plan to stay longer than 72 hours. Harbor anchorage fees are 10 CUC per day or 45 centavos per foot for a pier slip with water and electric hookups.
|
|
|